I don't know how to describe this year's
SOFA Expo without using a bad pun, but it was more like a loveseat or a settee because it was smaller. Like last year, it was in an exhibition space all the way at the end of Navy Pier, but the booths seemed to have a smaller footprint this time. I don't think as many galleries were there. Still, despite the smaller quantity, the quality of the artwork was still outstanding. This was the second year in a row that I received a VIP ticket and was able to attend the VIP opening night reception. Despite the unexpected Halloween snow, I still made it.
Every year, there are pavilions designed by college students. This year, my favorite one was this space designed by
University of Iowa students.
It was a very inviting space and I enjoyed spending time there. I can see why it won first place in the competition. I actually liked it better than this year's VIP lounge because it felt enclosed, while the VIP area felt exposed because it wasn't tucked away into its own cozy corner.
Here are photos of the other things I saw at the show and enjoyed. As always, I try to include the names of the artists whenever possible but there may be a few that I've missed.
While I was leaving SOFA, I walked outside on the pier and saw that a new hotel is being built in the area where the festival halls it once occupied used to be. I'm not sure if those event spaces will be absorbed into the hotel or remain a part of Navy Pier, but I hope that once the construction is finished next year, SOFA will be as big as it used to be.
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